WWF 1997.06.02 - Monday Night Raw

Location: Huntington Civic Center, Huntington, West Virginia

Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jim Ross

This event was broadcast live.

The Undertaker comes to the ring to be interviewed by Vince McMahon. Vince asks him why he submitted to Paul Bearer last week, and the Undertaker replies that it was blackmail; he had to give in to protect the one he loves most. He knows that his fans will ridicule him for this, but he had no other choice. He says that when he meets Paul Bearer in Hell, he'll make a deal with the Devil that Paul will burn in all eternity. Doesn't everyone in Hell burn? Maybe the flames will be stoked extra hot for Paul.

Paul Bearer comes to the ring and says that the Undertaker has no right to talk badly about him. From now on he's the Undertaker's manager, and he'll arrange for the Undertaker to work his way through the whole WWF roster. When the Undertaker is finished, Paul Bearer will be the ruler of the world. Note that he said the world, not the World Wrestling Federation.

Sycho Sid comes to the ring. He says that he respected the Undertaker for defeating him at Wrestlemania 13, but now that the Undertaker is submitting to fat man Paul Bearer he's lost his respect. Paul Bearer isn't the ruler of the world, he rules nothing. Sid wants a rematch with the Undertaker tonight to win back the WWF Championship.

The Nation of Domination enters the arena. Faarooq stands at the top of the ramp and calls it laughable that two white men are arguing in the ring. He says that next week at the King of the Ring PPV a black man will become champion. The Undertaker leaves the ring to chase Faarooq out.

Match 1. Faarooq vs Ahmed Johnson

The chase is over, as far as we can tell. Faarooq comes to the ring with the Nation of Domination. The referee sends the other Nation of Domination members away. When the match starts, Ahmed Johnson is on fire. He grabs Faarooq's leather strap and whips him. He hits him repeatedly. Then the Nation of Domination returns, distracting the referee, and the tide turns. Ahmed is losing the match, but the Undertaker comes out and attacks the Nation of Domination outside the ring. Ahmed Johnson leaves the ring to help him. In the scuffle, the Undertaker accidentally throws Faarooq against Ahmed. Both men fall down, but Ahmed is hurt worse. Faarooq pushes Ahmed back into the ring and pins him.

After the match Ahmed is angry with the Undertaker for costing him the match. The Undertaker chokeslams him and leaves.

Bret Hart comes to the ring to be interviewed by Vince McMahon, bringing the other members of the Hart Foundation with him. He says that because of the injuries sustained in the attack by Steve Austin last week he's unable to fight in the King of the Ring PPV.

Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels appear on the Titantron. Shawn is angry with Steve, because he wanted to defeat Bret Hart at the PPV. Steve says it's not about wrestling matches, he wants to finish off Bret Hart anywhere he can.

Brian Pillman was due to face Steve Austin at the King of the Ring PPV, but he volunteers to stand back and let Shawn Michaels take his place. Steve accepts, on condition that he can fight Brian next week on Monday Night Raw.

Match 2. Intercontinental Championship, Owen Hart vs Bob Holly

Two weeks ago Bob Holly defeated Owen Hart in a non-title match. Now Bob is being given a chance to win the Intercontinental title. Owen underestimated Bob in the last match. This time he doesn't take any risks. He applies a sharpshooter to Bob, and Bob submits.

Shawn Michaels accepts the offer of a match against Steve Austin at the King of the Ring PPV, but he says he isn't doing it as a favour for Brian Pillman. He says that he'll defeat Steve Austin on Sunday, but he knows Steve Austin well enough to be certain that he'll get up and beat Brian Pillman the next day.

Sunny is casually strolling backstage with her Super Soaker XP 85. The Headbangers want to sneak up on her.

What they don't know is that the XP 85 can shoot in three directions at once.

So the Headbangers are left lying on the floor with their pants wet. They were no match for Sunny. Wetter is better!

Match 3. Goldust vs Hunter Hearst Helmsley

Goldust is accompanied to the ring by Marlena, Triple H is accompanied by Chyna. Despite a lot of cheating by Triple H, Goldust pins him to win the match. After the match Triple H argues with the referee, who doesn't back down. Chyna grabs the referee and throws him out of the ring.

Match 4. Tag Team Championship, Legion of Doom vs Steve Austin & Shawn Michaels

Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels are still arguing in the locker room before the match, but when they come to the ring it's all business. They're both professionals, and they fight as a team. For a while, at least. The Hart Foundation walks down the ramp, so Shawn Michaels leaves the ring to challenge them when Steve wants a tag. Steve grabs Shawn and pulls him back to the ring by his hair. The two start fighting outside the ring, so they're counted out. The Legion of Doom wins the match, but Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels retain the Tag Team Championship.

Match 5. Mankind vs Savio Vega

Jerry Lawler comes to the ring as a guest commentator. Why only a guest this week? Where was he for the last hour? Was he hiding from Sunny in the men's room so he wouldn't have to come to the ring with wet pants? That would be undignified for a king.

This is a first round match for the King of the Ring tournament. It's a tough match between the two wrestlers. Savio Vega is a disciplined technical wrestler, whereas Mankind is a brawler. Jerry Lawler, who will face the winner of this match, is constantly mocking Mankind. Mankind pulls him out of his seat and drops him on the floor. Crush comes to the ring and knocks Savio out, allowing Mankind to pin him. Faarooq comes out to persuade the two to make up, but then he walks away in frustration.

Match 6. Undertaker vs Sycho Sid

This is a non-title match. For most of the match Sid has a clear advantage, before the Undertaker manages to fight back. Finally the Undertaker pins Sid after a Tombstone Piledriver. Maybe Sid should respect him again.

After the match the Nation of Domination comes to the ring and attacks the Undertaker. When the Undertaker is down, Sid stands up and fights the Nation. Is he defending the man for whom he has new respect? I don't know. All that I know is that Sid isn't strong enough to face the Nation of Domination by himself, so the officials have to step in and stop the fight.